The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-10-15

De loved so mQcn that 10 tOucn your cheek with my lips would seem to me a happiness worth dying for? And l have loved you like that since the mo- ment I first saw you. have some times dared not look at you, lest my heart should burst with the actual joy of seeing you. When think of you, darling, all things seem possible, and nothing too high to be reached. I have wild dreams of seizing you in my arms and facing the world with you there. dare not imagine the heaven your love would be. My dar- ling, don't look so frightened. Do you hate me, or have I murdered some one, that you look on me with SO much horror?"
 At these words Elinos sank down into the chair from which she had risen, and covered her face with her hands.
 "I can't listen to you. You shall not tell me this. I-I-never can"
 She got no further.
 "I see. I have been a wretched fool. That is all"
 Such a white, miserable looking man uttered these words that Elinos' pity would no longer let her fears do violence to her love, and the cry:
 "I do love you! was wrung from her.
 "Then, darling, what shall prevent you from being my wife? Nothing |; I swear it," said her lover. "You love me. That is enough. My love, come to me-"
 He had stepped nearer to her, and seemed about to draw ner towards him, when she exclaimed: "No, no; there is something to prevent. can- not explain. You dare not ask. Only believe me, and-and-go away"
 "That is nonsense. Do you think me fool, or only half a man, to be content with such an answer? You say that you love me. For that I thank God. And then you tell me that you cannot be my wife. shall never leave you until I know your reason, if it be reason. Elinos, dar- ling, is it likely that I shall consent to live without you when know of nothing to keep you from me? Neverp
 Elinos was drawn into her lovers arms, and love had conquered. For one blissful hour she remembered nothing, save that she loved this man, and had surrendered herself to him. Her fears had gone-crushed out by the mighty force of love, until, as she bade her lover good bye for three short days, the memory of that mad dening dream again returned to tor ment her.
 "Must you go?" she said. "I shall be very lonely, and am not sure that l can forget, all the time, why I should not love you."
 Dearest, have you not promised never to refer to that unknown, but surely ridiculous reason? Yes, Imust go, though it seems like death to leave you. On Thursday, at five, 1 shall be with you again, here; and in just two weeks, sweetheart, you are to expect me ill Westfield. Then I shall never leave you. No, dear, you are not to rebel. Do not you love and trust me enough to become my wife in so short timer"
 Her only reply to this was the trembling whisper: "Come back to me soon."
 Miss Pitkins was not wholly un- prepared for the letter from Mir. Emerson, which, on her return, she found awaiting her. Its tone was manly and noble, but, as she perused it, the tears would come at the thought of the separation from her darling which 1t heralded. It also seemed to her that Elinos had not that of perfect happiness which should belong to girl newly engaged to the man of her choice.
 AS the three days slipped away, they brought many doubts and mis- givings to Elinos. But she longed for her lovers return, thinking: "When l am with him, all will be we'll, and I shall forget my foolish fancies."
 Lying awake in her bed the night DCAolV HIS CN pCStCQ ICtuIus u SuuCtIl, unaccountable impulse came to her.
 She must go to the room occupied by her lover and look in the drawer of the table she knew to be there. All through the night she struggled to forget the wild desire which had taken possession of her. She would banish it from her troubled mind, only to discover, the next instant, that some new plan for cffecting her purpose was evolving itself in her thoughts. Vainly she told herself that to enter secretly her lovers room would be a cowardly and dishonorable action. But the impulse was uncomfortable, and had seized her with almost the force of a mania.
 When the gray light of dawn came through her blinds, it found her with